The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-12
HELPING HIS EMPLOYEES.
John Wanamaker Inaugurates the Coop
eratiye system in His Business.

Philadelphia Record.
John Wanamaker yesterday inaucurated the
cooperative system by which employees will
share in the profits of his vast establishment At
4:30 o'clock in the afternoon a circular address
was quietly handed TO each of the employees. 1t
said:
"GooD FRIDAY, 1887.
To-day, April s. twenty-six years ago. be-
gan business at the corner Of Sixth and Market
streets.
Il want to keep the anniversary by giving this
token of good will to the people associated with
me in the various departments of service 10 the
house,
First. All who have been in the employ of
this house for seven years, and such others
whose terms of service shall hereafter reach
seven years, shall participate in portion OF the
profits of the years business, which / shall set
aside out OF my share III the firm at the time OF
its next annual settlement. | shall divide this
portion among those employees on the seven
years honor roll according to the value of their
services to the firm to be determined by their
usefulness and faithfulness.
'.In making this distribution, shall person
ally analyze the records of sales made. or work
done for salary paid; and, considering oppor-
tunty, effort, behavIor and growth, shall en-
deavor to do exactly right by each one according
to my best Judgment.
Second All the saes-persons throughout
the house will have added to their present
salaries, and after Monday next sum each
week graded by their sales. The sales persons
in departments " here the transactions are most
numerous because in small amounts, the addi-
ton to the salaries will be in double ratio to
those IN the other departments.
Third In the clerical, packing, invoice and
various offices a civil-servlce system will be
strictly followed in promotions and advance
ments. The record of each one will be carefully
kept, and govern all changes. A special honor
list will be kept for the more rapid preferment
of those showing marked business ability, rapid
improvement, diligence, economy and useful
ness"
The circular goes on to state that these extra
and to such have been in the service six
months and over. 1t concludes as follows:
We have great desires TO improve the condi-
ton. comfort happiness and pay of orr people,
il they will do the part that is in their power. A
large business warrants large pay, if the drones
are kept out of it.
Cheerful, joyous. intelligent workers may do
wonders for themselves and every body and re.
ceive large pay. JoHY WANAMAKER."
AT the close of the days business the clerks
assembled in the carpet galleries, when Mr..
Wanamaker addressed to them words of kind
and announcement He said it added
greatly to mis- pleasure to make his employees
sharers in the profits of the business. Their
salaries, which were larger than in any similar
establishment in the country. would be still
more greatly increased, according to the useful
ness and ability of each individual. At the
close Mr.. Wanamaker was greeted with three
cheers by his grateful working people Mr.
Wanamaker estimates that the profits to be dis
tributed. in addition to salaries, this year viii bs
not less that $780, 0o0